Vehicle information provider HPI has launched an e-Petition calling for mileage correction firms to be banned.
Across the UK, these companies are turning back the miles on used cars, helping certain sellers push up the price of vehicles.
One-in-twenty cars checked with HPI show a discrepant mileage, and this figure has risen by 10% in the past five years.
“Dealers are well aware that clocking itself isn’t illegal, but selling a clocked car without declaring its true mileage is,” explains Daniel Burgess, managing director for HPI. “Whilst there is rarely a legitimate reason to alter the mileage on a vehicle, Trading Standards estimates there are 50 mileage correction firms operating in Britain.
“Some of these companies will be exploiting a legal loophole that could help unscrupulous sellers make a fast profit at the expense of dealers and consumers alike.
“We’re calling for a change to the law and dealers should be too. Our e-petition will give motorists and the motor industry a chance for their voice to be heard.”
Dealers should conduct a mileage check as a matter of course, but particularly on any car that has had more than one owner.
A full National Mileage Register (NMR) Investigation not only checks against 150 million mileage records but also ensures previous keepers are contacted to verify mileages at the time they sold the vehicle.
A mileage warranty is also included as part of the investigation, so if the car turns out to be clocked, dealers will be covered.
By operating best practice, dealers can sell with confidence and meet their duty of care under the Consumer Protection Regulations.
“HPI continues to raise awareness of the threat of clocking and other used car fraud, but whilst mileage correction firms operate, fraudsters make easy money,” concludes Daniel Burgess.
“We are launching our e-petition to fight back and make the Government take action. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has called upon the Government for reform twice before, but still there are no signs of change.”
To sign the petition visit http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/40393
Peter Bonney - 24/10/2012 11:24
I misread this as mileage collection firms and wondered what the issue was with them. Of course, the headline read mileage correction firms, what a euphemism for good old fashioned CLOCKING. Any legal loopholes allowing this practice to be openly provided need closing but its highly likely that it will just be driven underground with shady business continuing as usual.